The final aim of all love intrigues, be they comic

or tragic, is really of more importance than all

other ends in human life. What it turns upon is
nothing less than the composition of the next
generation.
A. Schopenhauer as quoted by Charles Darwin, 1871

Fertilization
This lecture lecture introduces you to the beginning of development
fertilization, or the conception of a new individual. You will learn about
the union of the spermatozoon and oocyte to form the zygote the new
individual. This is a fascinating process that involves a coordinated series of
events leading to union of a single sperm with the egg. After this lecture you
should be able to:
Describe the sequential series of events that accompany the
fertilzation process.
Describe the contribution of the spermatozoon to the fertilization
process.
Describe the contribution of the oocyte to the fertilization process.

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Concepts in Fertilization
Why fertilization?

Problems that must be dealt with

Sperm entry

Prevention of polyspermy

Fertilization strategies

Transportation of gametes in humans

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 F e r t i l i z a t i o n

Fertilization Stages
The process of conception

Capicitation of the sperm

Removal of glycoprotein coat and seminal proteins

Where?

How?

Results

Penetration of the corona radiata

Acrosome reaction

Tubal mucosal enzymes

Tail action of sperm

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Penetration of the zona pellucida
Acrosomal enzymes

Zona reaction

Membrane fusion and oocyte response

Intracellular release of calcium ions

Wave-like movement of calcium ions

Fast block

Oocyte response to calcium wave

Cortical granule reaction (slow block)

Numerous metabolic reactions

Formation of ootid
Sperm decondensation and formation of male pronucleus

Completion of 2nd meiotic division formation of female pronucleus

Emergence of zygote
Fusion of the pronuclei

Initiation of cleavage

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